Abstract:
Mohammad Shahrour and Allameh Tabatabai have been careful not to ignore the scientific theories in their interpretation of the holy Quran. The Darwinian evolution theory, which has been accepted by biologists, has taken the attention of these two commentators. The main idea of the theory of evolution, the gradual creation and derivation of living things from the same ancestors, dates back to ancient Greek. This idea and its alternative, that is, “stability of species” had been introduced to scientific circles before the decent of the holy Quran. The present paper is a comparative study of the way the theory of human evolution has been viewed by Allameh Tabatabai and Mohammad Shahrour in the interpretation of Quranic verses. According to Allameh Tabatabai, although it is stipulated in the verses of the holy Qur'an that human beings are traced back to Adam and Eve, this is subject to interpretation. The most explicit evidence referred to by Allameh Tabatabai is the analogy drawn between Jesus (pbuh) and Adam (pbuh) in the holy Qur'an. Nevertheless, it is not certain that the analogy is based on lack of father. Historical evidence shows that the point of similarity is the fact that both are human beings created by God. Believing in no contradiction, Shahrour tries to reconcile the difference, but in some cases his attempts are overshadowed with formalities. He believes that the blowing of the soul in Adam (pbuh) is a turning point that marks the beginning of emergence of contemporary man.
Machine summary:
Tabataba'i, in the interpretation of Al-Mizan, has expressed his views on it under the relevant verses, and Muhammad Shahrur, who is a religious modern thinker, has discussed this matter in his works, especially in the two books "Al-Kitab wal-Quran, Qira'ah Mu'asirah" and "Al-Qisas al-Qur'ani, Qira'ah Mu'asirah.
Shahrur 127 Examining the way Allameh Tabataba'i and Muhammad Shahrur confront the theory of human evolution 127 __________________________________________________________________________________________ 127 believes that there are no synonymous words in the Holy Quran; for example, in his view, the term "Kitab" is different from "Quran" (ibid.
Therefore, the Christians' belief in the sonship of Jesus (peace be upon him) does not stem from his lack of a father, but rather from exaggeration regarding his status, to the extent that they interpreted the Gospel term "son of God"—which originally meant an eldest son who would be vowed to God in the custom of the Children of Israel to serve in the synagogue—as meaning consubstantial with God. In this mental framework of the Christians, God in 131 Examining the Interpretive Approach of Allameh Tabataba'i and Muhammad Shahrur toward the Theory of Human Evolution 131 __________________________________________________________________________________________ 131 Verse 59 of Surah Al-Imran emphasizes the human and earthly nature of Jesus (peace be upon him) and introduces him as a created being and not eternal, much like Adam (peace be upon him).
Shahrur's Viewpoint on the Matter of Human Creation Muhammad Shahrur, in his book "Al-Kitab wa al-Qur'an, Qira'ah Mu'asirah," confirms human evolution according to Darwin's theory and states: "To me, the best person who has interpreted the verses is Charles Darwin, but did Darwin know about the Quran?
(
, 
, 
)
